Known as the “Jewel in King University’s crown,” Jewel Bell served with the university for seven straight decades before retiring at the age of 93—but she will forever be considered part of the president’s team.

Bell came to King in 1952, and what was initially expected to be a two-week housekeeper job in the women’s residence hall became a permanent position after former President R.T.L. Liston asked her to stay. While her office shifted locations in the following decades, her role as the “Voice of King” has never changed.

During the civil rights era, Bell’s son became the first African-American student to attend King. Following suit, Bell took classes as her work and personal duties allowed. She also served on the Bristol City PTA council and was the first African-American PTA council president.

Bell has been—and continues to be—recognized through the establishment of the Jewel H. Bell scholarship at King, as the recipient of the university’s first Lifetime Service Award and the school’s first honorary alumna, with a street that bears her name on the Bristol campus, Board of Trustees emerita status, a Doctor of Humane Letters, and now, as 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee!